brake fluid

jeremesh · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:38 pm

I was a bit low on brake fluid so I went to get some but they didnt have any DOT3 so I got synthetic DOT4. Is it ok to put that in with the existing fluid that came with it from the factory?

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:12 pm

i don't think so. someone correct me if I am wrong.

dkcase · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:31 pm

It's OK. DOT 4 is compatible with DOT 3. No problem.

Much fluid is labeled DOT 3/4.

DOT 5, if you see any of that, is not compatible; it is a silicone-based fluid.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:41 pm

You should never add brake fluid to your master cylinder unless you have a brake leak.With that said you'd hardly have any brakes or no brakes anyway.The reason for not adding any fluid is there is no need to,you see there is a "min" and a "max" lines on the master cylinder,well with brand new brakes your level should be at the "max" line,when it's time to change the brakes you should be at/close to the "min" mark.A easy way to tell how much brakes you have left,plus when you add fluid and then have your brakes changed a few months down the road we techs need to siphon some of that fluid out as not to have it spray all over the place when we force the pistons back into the caliphers to accept the new pads,it's a mess and a hassle.

My 2 cents and rant.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:46 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

You should never add brake fluid to your master cylinder unless you have a brake leak.With that said you'd hardly have any brakes or no brakes anyway.The reason for not adding any fluid is there is no need to,you see there is a "min" and a "max" lines on the master cylinder,well with brand new brakes your level should be at the "max" line,when it's time to change the brakes you should be at/close to the "min" mark.A easy way to tell how much brakes you have left,plus when you add fluid and then have your brakes changed a few months down the road we techs need to siphon some of that fluid out as not to have it spray all over the place when we force the pistons back into the caliphers to accept the new pads,it's a mess and a hassle.

My 2 cents and rant.

Ditto. A good idea though is to take this time to exchange your old fluid for new fluid and bleed the brakes out while at it. New clean brake fluid is a good idea and almost always overlooked.

modular · **Posted:** Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:32 am

JJsKJ wrote:

A good idea though is to take this time to exchange your old fluid for new fluid and bleed the brakes out while at it. New clean brake fluid is a good idea and almost always overlooked.

Ya know, I had never previously done this to a vehicle but just did it to the KJ a few weeks ago. With the help of the wife it took all of 1/2 hour and 3 pints of fluid. Easy-peasy!

brake fluid

Who is online